Praise Report

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.  Psalm 30:4

On Friday, January 20, I had the misfortune of losing my racquet bag.  I had been teaching private lessons at one of the local high schools. It had been a long day, I was tired, and was packing my car at the end of the coaching session.  I got distracted in a conversation while packing up and drove away leaving my bag sitting in the parking lot.

By the time I realized my mistake and made it back to the courts my bag was gone and it contained $1500 worth of demo racquets, clothing, and cash from my evening lessons.  I was devastated and angry at myself both at the same time. This was a big costly mistake.

Now most of the racquets in the bag had my name and phone number on them and there was other identification in the bag too so I was hopeful to receive a phone call or text that evening. Sadly. no communication was forth coming.  While it looked like my bag was lost for good I still clung to a glimpse of hope that who ever picked it up might just turn it in to the school on Monday.

It was a long weekend waiting for Monday to arrive.  I spent the weekend praying.  I even asked for prayer on Facebook for the situation.  My prayer request yielded nearly 90  comments and well wishes of encouragement. The outpouring of support did lift my spirits a bit, but Monday came and as the day wore on there was no phone call or text.  Then at 5 PM Monday evening I received a text from the high school coach that a non tennis playing student found my bag and turned it in to the school.

Needless to say I was elated at the news.  God allowed me to experience a big dose of humility in the loss of my racquet bag.  He also taught me patience in waiting over the weekend to the end of the day Monday to learn the news that it would be returned to me.  God is Good.  I am grateful for the lessons learned.

Trust in the Lord, with all thine heart.  Lean not on thy own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and he will make thy path straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Are You a Game Changer..?

We have no idea the titanic purpose God has for our lives and we will probably never know the full impact that our lives may have on others this side of heaven.

God wants us to be 'game changers'.  He wants us to be the heroes who come in to bat at the bottom of the 9th inning and hit a home run with the bases loaded.   But he doesn't want or expect us to accomplish that feat under our own power.  He will work that miracle through us though, if we surrender to him.    I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  ~ Philippians 4:13, KJV

Moses was a 'game changer' for his people.  Are you a game changer to those around you...?

The first step to becoming a game changer in the game of life is to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.

The next step is to pursue your relationship with Jesus with reckless abandon.   Walk with Jesus and grow with him through prayer and daily study of His Word.

The last thing is to "Get in the Game", and live your life out before the rest of world lifting up the name of Jesus.

 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.  ~John 12:32, KJV

Friends, this is how Jesus became REAL to me:  A Godly family just lived out its relationship with the Lord in front of me and everyone else around them.  They showed me Christ's love and I was naturally drawn to the cross.

Heavenly Father,  You are an Awesome God...!   The Heavens declare your Glory.  Father God, I am nothing.  The bible says my best efforts apart from you amount to filthy rags.  But in You I am a new creation!  
Lord help me to be a game changer.  Help me to surrender myself to you every day.  I am my own biggest hindrance to accomplishing your will.   I love you Lord.  And pray these things in Jesus' name,  AMEN

What I Believe

I believe in God the Father, Almighty maker of heaven and earth.  And I believe in Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son, Our Lord.

I believe Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilot, was crucified, died for my sins, and was buried.

I believe on the third day he rose again and is now seated at God's right hand.

I believe that what I believe makes me what I am.

 I also believe there is a created being named Satan, a fallen angel who fell to earth like lightning long ago. Satan hates God and all who have given their lives to Jesus.

I believe there is a battle being waged right this very moment between the forces of light and darkness.  Good and Evil are battling for the souls of mankind. The bible says our enemy is prowling around right this very second seeking souls to devour.  Our enemy is powerful, but our God is more powerful.

Here are a few more things to remember:

God is Love.   1 John 4:8

If God is for us, who can be against us...?  Romans 8:31

We are more than conquers through Him that loved us.  Romans 8:37

Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.  Romans 10:13

For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son so that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.   John 3:16

Those who believeth in Jesus are a royal priesthood.   1 Peter 2:9

We are to tell everyone within our sphere of influence about Jesus.  Matthew 28:18-20

Dear Heavenly Father:

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and redeemer.  (Psalm 19:14)

In Jesus' precious, holy name I pray,

AMEN

Lifting Up Elijah

Prayer partners, please pray for Elijah.  He broke a bone in his wrist last night while skateboarding.   He has been in a lot of pain.  Please pray that he heals quickly!

Pray for Monica and I, too.  There is nothing more miserable than to watch a loved one in pain and suffering.

Monica and I know that God is in control.  He will work things out.  To God be the Glory.

Join us in praying blessings of comfort and healing over Elijah this morning.

Prayer Requests ~ Standing in the Gap

Today I lift up my dear friend Gaylynn who is fighting cancer.  I lift up her daddy, too.  And as always: I lift up my precious family, especially my beloved wife, Monica.   I also lift up my dear brothers in Christ Brady, Bradley, Mike, and their families to You.

Father God, you know the needs of the individuals I have listed here.   I pray in the name of Jesus a blessing of spiritual, emotional, and physical healing over all.

Lord: You know my needs, too.  Help me to be strong.  Help me to stand in a world that desperately needs your healing.  I pray for patience, meekness, and humility.  Help me to be the daddy, husband, and friend you have called me to be.

Thank You for another day.  Thank you for loving me and providing for me and providing opportunities to serve you and minister to those within my sphere of influence.   I love You.  I need you and cry out to you.  And pray all these things in Jesus' Name.

Amen.

What is Your Motivation?

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.  Psalm 127:1

Nothing lasting will be accomplished without the LORD.  Cast your cares on HIM.  Focus on HIM

In All your ways acknowledge HIM, and he will make thy path straight.

Make GOD the priority in your life.  Trust HIM.   

HE is your ROCK and yuor SALVATION.

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

What is my motivation?  Jesus died for me.  I will live for HIM.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I love You Lord.  Help me to follow You.  Help me to lead my family and friends to You.  Lord please continue to give me an ever increasing hunger and thirst for your word.  Lord bless my interaction with others today.  Bless my communication skills. 

Help me to be an arrow pointing to heaven.  I pray a special blessing on my precious wife and sons this morning.  Guard them and keep them safe. In the name of JESUS I bind the enemy: he has no authority in our lives!

Father God please bless and guard my testimony today and send the Holy Spirit to me when I am asked to give an account for the hope that lies within me.

I thank You and Praise You for being an Amazing God!

I pray all these things in Jesus' name!

Amen.  

The Day Heaven's Love Came Down...!

I am so delighted the Christmas season is here. This is the most joyous time of the year that we celebrate Heaven's Love coming down.  Praise God that he loved us so much that he sent his son to live and die for us.  Let us never forget:  JESUS is the reason for the season....!

Dear Heavenly Father:  

Thank You Lord, for the blessing of your precious son...!  Father God, help me to be the daddy and husband You have called me to be.  Lord please continue to give me a hunger and thirst for your Word.  And Lord I pray that you would increase that hunger.  Father help me to lead my family and point those around me directly to You.   

Lord I recognize I have been blessed abundantly. Thank You, Father for my precious family, for my health, for my career.  They are all precious gifts from you.   I am so undeserving of these blessings. 

Father God, I want to show my appreciation back to you.  I want to be pleasing to you.  All I can do in return is to try my best to live for you.  But Lord Your Word says that 'my best' is nothing but a filthy rag and there is NOTHING I can do to earn heaven.  Isaiah 64:6

The bible says if I want to please you then I need to have Faith.    But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6.

Lord help me to diligently seek you.  You came down from heaven to die for me.  Help me to live for you...!   Help my faith, Lord.  I want to please you!  I want to be a blessing to my family and those around me.  I want to be your hands and feet and point others to You, Lord...!

Lord, guard and protect me from the enemy.  Help me to STAND until your return.

I love you, Lord.   I thank you and praise you:  IN JESUS' NAME,

AMEN...!

Seek Him First... Jesus is the Answer to EVERY Question

When life gets complicated its time to refocus on our Lord and Savior.  We can do all things through Christ.  But how much can we truly accomplish without Jesus?   Nothing.


A pastor friend of mine often uses the phrase:  "How's God messin' with ya?"    When I ask myself that the answer is:  '...bringing me to my knees...' 

God keeps bringing situations before me that I have little or no control over.  And as I look back on my life: that has been my life's theme.   How's HE messing with me?  ~ He is continually giving me an opportunity to just let HIM be God.  He is drawing me close.   My problem is I keep trying to do things under my own power, but I say I am doing these things in Jesus' Name.

Knowing God's Will:  I am learning that it's not as complicated as I have been making it.  

Jesus told us what we should do in Matthew 6:33...    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

He told Peter and the Disciples:  Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.  Matt 4:19

Am I not a disciple?  Then what should I do?   Follow Him FIRST, then make disciples of all men..?. Matt 28:19

Yes, Follow Him FIRST.  But he said 'HE' will make us fishers of men.

What does that look like?  We are to tell all men the 'good news' of the Gospel.  And what is the GOOD NEWS...?   The Good News is our testimony about how Jesus is our Lord and Savior and living a changed life because He came into our hearts. 

But what if someone you LOVE rejects your testimony and refuses to acknowledge Christ, or refuses to acknowledge him the way you do?  What if its a family member or close friend...? 

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Matt 5:14  

Just Keep on Seeking HIM.  He will draw all men unto Him:  John 12:32

JESUS is the Answer to EVERY Question...!  

Faith Begins Where Man's Power Ends

A great book for family reading

I think I have definitely stumbled onto some keen insight into the kind of faith that moves mountains by taking a closer look at the life of George Mueller.  I will chronicle some of his life stories in future posts.  His life was simply an amazing testimony of faith in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior.  I posted a photo of the book Elijah and I are reading together, but I am researching numerous sources besides this publication.



Here's one of George's many quotes regarding faith:

'Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man's power ends.' 

George accomplished an amazing amount of work for Christ and never asked for any support from any man.  He took everything to God in prayer.  He truly lived by faith.  This man moved 'figurative mountains' by faith on a daily basis.

Self Examination:  What is God doing in my life right now?  How is he working?   Am I hindering him through my lack of faith?

 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.  Matthew 21:21 KJV

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.  Matthew 21:22  KJV


Ask in prayer, and believe.   But please don't think I am going off on some prosperity gospel tangent.  

Prayers will be answered unto the glory of God.  

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  John 14:13.

Prayers will be answered if they are in accordance to God's will unto His Glory.  QUESTION:  So how do we know what God's will is for our lives...?   ANSWER:  Pray and read the bible...!

Coach Sam's Testimony:   I asked in prayer for God to give me a hunger and a thirst for His Word and HE DID...!  He loves to answer prayers like that...!  Now, every day is an adventure of what God is going to reveal to me through scripture...!

Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your Word.  Thank You for amazing inspiring faith stories of Godly men and women who have gone before me.  Lord help my faith.  Help my life to line up with Your Holy Word.  Father enable me to be exactly the man my wife and son's need.  Help me to train them up and lead them on a path that goes straight to You.  Help us all on the way of that journey along the narrow path..

Lord You know my challenges and my desires.  I give everything to You, Father.   I already count myself blessed beyond measure.   Lord help me to get out of the way so You can work through me.  I am my own biggest problem.  But I love You Lord.  I humbly seek Thee this morning.  Go before me, order my steps.  season my words.  Bless my communication with others.

God I pray a blessing on my wife's art camp today.  I pray a blessing over my tennis classes this afternoon.  Lord I ask you to bless me so that I can be a blessing to others.  Help me to recognize needs right before me that I might be overlooking because I am so self absorbed.   Lord, let my life be more about You and much less about me.

I love You.  And I pray all these things in the precious holy name of Jesus.

Amen.

Faith That Moves Mountains: An Update

 “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.”
― George Müller

I have been asking God for a few months now to show me what 'faith that moves mountains' looks like.  He has taken me on a journey showing me scriptures and working through daily circumstances.   I have been aware of the life and testimony of George Muller for sometime but have never taken the time to really look into his faith.

Recently, Elijah and I have been reading the life of Muller.  Only eight chapters into it I am simply amazed and inspired at the way this man lived his life for Christ.  I am grateful for what God is showing me.

Heavenly Father,

Lord I give today to you.  Take my cares and burdens.  I rest in You.  You have been faithful even when I have not been.  Praise You, Jesus.  I love you.  I thank you.  Lord I ask you to help me be more like you.  Keep my heart soft and tender.  Help me to be a blessing to those within my sphere of influence. 

Help my faith.  Increase my faith, Father.  

I pray blessings over my family.  I lift up my co-workers.  I pray You will go before me and season my words in all my communication with others.

Love You, Jesus.  And pray all these things in your precious, wonderful, holy name, Amen.

John 4:4 We have GREATNESS in us...!

...Greater is HE that is in me, than he that is in the world.' (1 John 4:4)

Friends:  Consider that if we are in Christ, then we are a new creation..    WE have GREATNESS in us...!

Do not allow yourself walk around tired and defeated.  If I have made the following statement one time I have said this a thousand times:

Don't tell God how big your problems are:  Tell your problems how BIG your God is...!

Inside of us is the Greatness of the one who spoke the universe into existence.  We need to walk in THAT power.   We can do ALL things in Christ who strengthens us.   Do you feel weak?  Good.   God can use you.    We are not stronger than he that is in the world if we are apart from God.

How do we get stronger?  Trust God.  Read His Word.   Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.

I know many people who say there is No God.  I say they are wrong.   I offer my own life as evidence that God is REAL and that HE LIVES. 

The Sam Chadwell that existed before he knew Christ is nothing at all like the Sam Chadwell since Jesus came to dwell within me.   And I am in no way claiming to be perfect.  But my heart has definitely been and continues to be transformed.   Those who have known me all my life can certainly attest to that. 

The existence of God can be proven by the testimonies of men and women whose lives have been transformed and changed forever by the grace of God.

Do You have a wondrous story to tell of how God has worked in your life...?  Tell it.  God is placing people within your sphere of influence who need to hear and see your story.

Heavenly Father,  Thank You Lord for giving me the strength to carry on when this world is falling apart around me... Lord You are an AMAZING GOD, a MIGHTY GOD.  In YOU: I am strong.  In YOU: I am victorious.

Lord Jesus, when I call YOUR name the enemy flees.   So right this very moment I bind the enemy in the Name of JESUS.  I pray a hedge of protection around my house and my friends and family.  Satan has NO authority in my life because greater is HE that is in me (Jesus) than he (satan) that is in the world.

I love you, Lord.  And I thank you for the opportunities and the responsibilities You have placed before me.  Help me to be strong.  Help me to be faithful.  Help me to resist the temptations and the distractions of the enemy.   You are a Strong and Mighty God.  I rest on your promises, and I pray all these things in the beautiful name of Jesus.

Amen.

Psalm 117

Psalms Chapter 117

Viewing the Standard King James Version (Pure Cambridge). Click to switch to 1611 King James Version of Psalms Chapter 117

¹ O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

² For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

This is one of the shortest books of the bible. Might as well memorize it.   Might as well do what it says.

God is Good.  God is faithful.   God always was.  God always will be.  Forever Faithful...!

Dear Heavenly Father:

Lord thank You for being God.   Father thank You for creating me.  Thank You for giving me the opportunities You have given me.  Lord I ask a blessing on this day.  Father help me to be what You created me to be.  Help my family to grow in You and to honor You with our lives.  Lord help us to see things through your eyes and love with Your Love.  Bless us Lord and allow us to be a blessing to others.

Father I need a little extra strength and courage to face to today and the rest of the week.  Thank You for your kindness, Thank You for your provision.   I love You, Lord and pray these things in Jesus' name:

Amen.

Imagine a Mustard Seed...

Thou wilt keep him in perfect[1] peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  - (Isaiah 26:3)


I have been thinking about the kind of faith that moves mountains.  Why don't we see mountains moved today?  Jesus said that we would do greater works than he. I read a devotional today that discussed our imagination.  Its suggested that our big challenge was to keep our imagination focused on Christ.

Yes, we MUST keep our imaginations focused on Christ.  That has got to be a key ingredient to having faith that can move a mountain.  I don't know about you, but my imagination runs all over the place.  Honestly, I don't want to share where my imagination takes me at times.  This is why the apostle Paul instructed us to think on things that were true, and noble, and right, pure, honorable, excellent, etc...

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.  John 14:12

It's about belief.  Its about trust.  It's about having faith as small as a mustard seed.  Oh yes, our greatest challenge, our greatest battlefield is fought is the battle of what thoughts occupy our mind.

How can we get a grip on what is in our heads?   Well, what gets in our heads is what is taken in by our eyes and ears.   Remember:  Faith comes by hearing the word of God.  Romans 10:17

Don't forget that our eyes are also an amazing organ that allow us to read the word of God.  What we take in visually is permanently recorded in our brains.  Consider that if we spent more time reading the Word of God out loud we would take God into our hearts and minds two fold:  through our ears and eyes.

Instead we occupy the majority our time with mindless entertainment and pursue activities that have no eternal value.  

Forbid it, Almighty God...!

Friends, Join me in repenting.  Let's not allow our lives to look like the life of non believers.  Let's focus on Jesus.  Let's allow our hearts and minds be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Let's have more of God and less of the World.   Get in the Word,  Be in Prayer. Take a stand for our souls and the souls of our family and friends.  Let's develop faith that will move a mountain.  Pray for me.  I'll pray for you!

Your Brother in Christ,

Coach Sam

 

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Isaiah 40:26

"Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things...."

God created the heavens and the earth.

God is REAL. HE is the creator of everything.  The heavens declare the Glory of God.  All creation sing his wonders.  Even the rocks cry out...!  

But we live in a world that does not believe God exists.  We desensitize our thoughts and feelings continually by what goes into our heads.

We must guard our hearts and minds.  We have been assigned to live in this world for a period of time and we are not to become of it.  And we must stand in the gap for our families and each other.  

Always remember, we have three enemies to be aware of:  Satan, the world, and our own fleshly desires.    Can we stand against this three fold attack and survive...?

YES WE CAN.    But only through God's grace and providence.

God's Word says that Greater is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world.   The Word says: Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.  

If you are struggling:  Ask Jesus into your heart.  Join the family of God.  

If you have already asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, then dive into God's Word.  The bible is rich with encouragement, promises, and life instruction.   Pray to God for wisdom to understand what you are reading.  He loves to answer prayers like that.  Be mindful that our adversary is prowling about.  You must arm your selves and protect your families by praying a hedge of protection around you.

Are praying and reading the bible your life style?    Mommies and Daddies:  We set the primary example.  And young people, here's a word for you straight from the holy scripture: Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12.

There is a world out there that is lost and hurting.  God's Word is the Rescue Boat.  We are the emergency personnel God will use to implement life saving procedures.

Pray about how God can use you to witness to those within your sphere of influence.

God made the stars in the sky and he made you and me.  He's got the whole world in his hands.  He can do ANYTHING.  Our focus needs to be on God more than the world and our problems.

Some trust in chariots and horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7

Friends, we are at a crossroads today just as the Israelites were under Joshua's leadership in the old the old testament.   Here is Joshua's defining statement to God's people:

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  Joshua 24:15

Friends,

My family and I are with Joshua.  Who are you with?  Who (or what) will you serve today...?

I love you and I am praying for You.  Wishing you a wonderful day in Christ Jesus.  Please call or text me if you need prayer or would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus.

Your Brother in Christ,

Coach Sam Chadwell, 713-818-9109
coachsam@chadwelltennis.com

Stand in the gap with me today...

Friends, I could use prayer today.

As always:  Stand with me in defense of our families.  Stand with me in defense of all that is right and good. 

But today I ask specifically that you would lift me up as I meet with a man about an employment opportunity this morning.  Pray that God would go before me and that he would season my words.  Please pray for a witnessing opportunity.  Pray for God to give my wife and I discernment regarding this matter.  Pray for God's will to be done.

I am standing on the many promises in Psalm 34 this morning: 

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.  Psalm 34:15

God is listening.  He is attentive.  He hears and answers prayer.  

My meeting is around 11:30AM.

Thank you brothers and sisters for standing with me this morning. 

Your Brother in Christ,

Sam